ECON6217 Advanced Microeconometrics Spring 2013 Course Objective

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ECON6217 Advanced Microeconometrics Spring 2013 Course Objective

ECON6217
Advanced Microeconometrics
Spring 2013
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Dr. Craig A. Depken II
229A Friday
704.687.7474
Class Room:
CCB 604
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: belkcollege.uncc.edu/cdepken
Office Hrs: M, W 1-2PM, 3:15-4:30PM
and by appointment
Class Meets: M 5:30-8:15pm
Course Objective: This course aims to provide students with additional econometric tools
typically used in microeconometric analysis including binary response models, count models,
duration models, hazard models, and competing risk models. The course also focuses on causal
relationships and how econometrics can help identify causality including panel models, sample
selection models, censored and truncated data, instrumental variable models, difference-indifference models, and treatment models.
Text and readings: There is no dedicated textbook for this course. Recommended texts include
Mostly Harmless Econometrics by Joshua Angrist and Jorn-Steffen Pischke and Introductory
Econometrics by Jeffery Wooldridge. Course readings will be assigned in advance and posted at
the course’s Moodle page.
Software: STATA is the supported software in this course. STATA is available on campus
computers and can be purchased for a reduced price at www.stata.com. You can use any
software you wish to perform out-of-class projects, however I will only support stata.
Course Web Page: Course materials projects will be posted on moodle at moodle.uncc.edu.
Grading: Grading will proceed in the following manner:
Assignment
Total Value
4 Out-of-class assignments
100 points
1 Midterm Exam
100 points
4 Seminar Reports or 1 Term Paper 100 points
1 Non-cumulative Final Exam
100 points
400 points
Letter grades will be awarded as follows (after standard rounding):
A 400-360
B 359-320
C 319-280
D 279-240
F239-0
Attendance: There is no attendance policy in this class. You are free to attend or not attend class, this is your
decision. However, attendance is a major factor in how well you will perform in the class. No points are artificially
added or subtracted based on attendance. I appreciate your arriving on time and not leaving class early. If you miss
class, you should NOT ask me for the material you missed; it is your responsibility to get this information from one
of your classmates.
Academic Honesty: Please note that academic misconduct (cheating) will NOT be tolerated. In addition, students
have the responsibility to know and observe the requirements of The UNC Charlotte Code of Student Academic
Integrity. This code forbids cheating, fabrication or falsification of information, multiple submissions of academic
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work, plagiarism, abuse of academic materials, and complicity in academic dishonesty. Academic evaluations in this
course include a judgment that the students work is free from academic dishonesty of any type; and grades in this
course therefore should be and will be adversely affected by academic dishonesty. Students who violate the code can
be expelled from UNC Charlotte. The normal penalty for a first offense is zero credit on the work involving
dishonesty and further substantial reduction of the course grade. In almost all cases, the course grade is reduced to F.
Copies of the code can be obtained from the Dean of Students Office. Standards of academic integrity will be
enforced in this course. Students are expected to report cases of academic dishonesty to the course instructor.
If in doubt when contemplating an action, ask me first!!
Make-up Projects: Make-up exams are generally not offered. Out-of-class assignments turned in late can only earn
60% of the original point value. The weight of any missed in-class assignments will be shifted to the final exam.
Cell Phones: All beepers, pagers and cell phones must either be turned off prior to class starting or placed in silent
mode. The proliferation of cell phones and other communication devices has only increased the negative
externalities imposed on others when they activate during class.
Laptops: The use of tablets, laptops, and desktop computers in this class is restricted to uses that are not distracting
to the professor or other students.
Statement on Diversity: The Belk College of Business strives to create an inclusive academic climate in which the
dignity of all individuals is respected and maintained. Therefore, we celebrate diversity that includes, but is not
limited to ability/disability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender, language, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.
Important dates:
First Day of Class: January 9
No Class: January 21 (MLK, Jr Day); March 4 (Spring Break)
Classes End: Tuesday, April 30
Last Class: Monday, April 29
Midterm Exam: Monday, March 18
Final Exam: Monday, May 6 (5:30-8:15 PM)
Course Outline (Subject to Change)
Part I. What's on the Left Hand Side?
1. OLS/GLS review
2. Binary response models
3. Multinomial response models
4. Count models
5. Hazard models and Competing Risk Models
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Part II: What's on the Right Hand Side?
Linear and Non-linear Panel models
Censored/Truncated Data
Sample Selection
Matching Models
Difference-in-differences
Regression discontinuity models
Causal Theory and Causal Inference on Observational Data
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Seminar Report Guidelines
Students have the option to substitute attendance to four of the Department of Economics or Department of
Finance Research Seminar series during the semester. The seminars are generally held on Fridays afternoons
in the Friday Building. Students who choose this option are required to download the Seminar Report form
from the class moodle site and submit a completed form by the Tuesday class following the seminar attended.
Students who cannot attend these seminars can substitute a term paper for this portion of the course.
Term Paper Guidelines
Students have the option of writing a short term paper involving econometric analysis. The paper is an
opportunity to apply the econometric tools learned in class to a real-world issue chosen by the student. I
recommend that you choose a topic in which you are interested but also with a narrow focus. A narrow focus
increases the probability that the project will both be completed by semester's end and be of sufficient quality.
If you have trouble choosing a paper topic, I can offer suggestions.
I recommend you begin thinking about this project as soon as possible and to avoid putting off writing the
paper until the last few days of class. A good strategy is to talk to me about your project early in the semester,
to keep in contact with me concerning your data and estimations, and to have me review a rough draft before
the final draft is submitted.
The final version of the term paper is due at the beginning of the final exam period: 8:00PM EST, December
13, 2011.
There are a few guidelines that you must follow:
Papers should be at least 10 double-spaced, single-sided pages printed no greater than 12 font;
Papers should be generally structured in the following manner:
 Introduction of the economic/econometric problem
 Brief review of previous literature dealing with your problem
 Introduction of your econometric model and data including data source(s)
 Review and interpretation of your estimation results
 Concluding remarks
 Reference list
 Econometric Results in tabular form
 Figures
You must provide an electronic form of your data, programs, program output and paper. If I do
not receive all required files, you will receive a zero on the term paper.
In exchange for co-authorship, I am willing to help develop exceptional papers or topics into a paper
submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.
Plagiarism: I will not hesitate to initiate academic dishonesty
proceedings against anyone who plagiarizes.
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